Alton aldermen OK police chief, deputy chief at contentious meeting

Alton City Clerk Mary Boulds swears in Brian Campbell to his first term as 1st Ward alderman, flanked by his wife and children.

Alton City Clerk Mary Boulds swears in Brian Campbell to his first term as 1st Ward alderman, flanked by his wife and children.

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Alton City Clerk Mary Boulds swears in Brian Campbell to his first term as 1st Ward alderman, flanked by his wife and children.

Alton City Clerk Mary Boulds swears in Brian Campbell to his first term as 1st Ward alderman, flanked by his wife and children.

Alton aldermen OK police chief, deputy chief at contentious meeting

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ALTON — Two new aldermen and a new treasurer took their seats Wednesday as the mayor and other recently re-elected officials began their four-year terms, and they were immediately thrust into a contentious discussion over two appointments within the police department.

City Council Chambers were packed, with people lining the walls behind aldermen and the crowd pouring out into the hallway. Attendees at times cheered or heckled the proceedings.

After heated exchanges between two aldermen and Chief Jason “Jake” Simmons, the chief’s re-appointment and appointment of Terry Buhs to deputy chief — a move up from sergeant — both narrowly passed with 4-3 votes.

Velloff, whose brother retired from APD, unsuccessfully tried to get Buhs’ appointment laid over, saying he only learned about the issue Tuesday, and two new aldermen who took their seats a half-hour prior may not have full information. “I thought we killed it three or four years ago,” Velloff said. He also questioned the money aspect of the promotion — pay, benefits and a larger obligation to the pension fund.

Simmons said Buhs would get about a $15,000 pay boost by the promotion; in the fiscal year that ended March 31, Buhs’ pay was $78,242. Simmons said he already has worked the pay hike into the draft budget for 2017-18 and would not fill the sergeant position Buhs is vacating to save on costs. The city still is operating under the previous budget, which contains no line item for a deputy police chief.

Simmons said APD had a deputy chief, at times called “major” in years past. “This is needed to help me with community projects,” Simmons said, including carrying out parts of the Strategic Plan for Community Policing, crime-free housing and to assist when labor contract negotiations begin this fall.

Brake, though, was unconvinced. He said Mayor Brant Walker had promised not to fill the deputy chief position, which has been empty since 2009, but now is doing so. Walker said he kept his promise during that first term in office.

Since 2009, aldermen did not want to fill the deputy chief position citing “financial burden” in filling that second-in-command position. Police captains have been performing those duties during those years. Aldermen in opposition have said the money could be better used for hiring police officers to work on the streets. Captain is a civil service position earned by testing and points with promotions according to an eligibility list, as opposed to a deputy chief being appointed.

The issue of filling the spot, and with Buhs, last arose on the Council floor in 2014 during the budget process, with an aldermanic attempt to eliminate the position in the 2014-15 fiscal year. After a series of votes, the resolution deleting salary of the unfilled, deputy chief position in the budget failed after Walker voted “no,” creating a 4-4 tie in June 2014.

Police sources also were angered that Buhs — who has been with APD since 1989 — as a sergeant could be promoted over higher-ranked lieutenants and a captain, thereby becoming their supervisor. Currently there are six lieutenants and one captain, several of which attended the meeting.

Regarding Simmons’ reappointment, Velloff said the chief has made “much progress with the community, but there is turmoil at the police department, and has been the last four years. There is a lack of leadership, a lack of supervision.” He then cited failings listed in the community policing report. “I am not saying to oust Jake Simmons from the department, but to move him back to lieutenant. Everyone was not born to be a leader.”

Simmons acknowledged the low scores in the report, on which he will address, and said Velloff should meet with him personally. “It is not fair for you to listen to a few cops you drink with on weekends,” Simmons said.

Velloff said Simmons was not available to him when he asked for time. Velloff also said Simmons never moved into the city, bringing his family. Simmons has said he stays in Alton during weekdays and nights and when needed at other times. “Yes, I did,” Simmons said stridently. “But how dare you bring my family and my kids into this political issue?”

“Yes, he does live in Alton,” Walker echoed. “He is in the city on a daily basis, if not nightly. At the end of the day it is my decision, it is my team. I am the coach. I get to pick my coaching staff. It was the voters’ choice that I am the mayor. This is my management team I trust.”